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Funding for Youth Development
Positive Experiences + Positive Relationships + Positive Environments = Positive Youth Development
PYD is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people's strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs developed a research agenda focused on positive youth development. Through a collaborative consensus-building process, representatives from federal agencies identified three research domains (conceptual issues, data sources and indicators, and program implementation and effectiveness) and key research questions that could benefit from future research.
PYD has its origins in the field of prevention. In the past, prevention efforts typically focused on single problems before they surfaced in youth, such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency.
Over time, practitioners, policymakers, funders, and researchers determined that promoting positive asset building and considering young people as resources were critical strategies. As a result, the youth development field began examining the role of resiliency - the protective factors in a young person's environment - and how these factors could influence one's ability to overcome adversity. Those factors included, but were not limited to, family support and monitoring; caring adults; positive peer groups; strong sense of self, self-esteem, and future aspirations; and engagement in school and community activities.
Researchers and practitioners began to report that young people who possess a diverse set of protective factors can, in fact, experience more positive outcomes. These findings encouraged the development of interventions and programs that reduce risks and strengthen protective factors. The programs and interventions are strengthened when they involve and engage youth as equal partners, ultimately providing benefits for both for the program and the involved youth.
Source: youth.gov
Foundation and philanthropic support for youth development from around the Web.
Cal Ripken Jr. is known for his achievements on and off the field, and now he's making headlines for what he doesn't do on the field. The baseball Hall of Famer, who grew up in Baltimore,...more
"It's not just about music; it's about youth development and giving kids a sense of belonging." That's how Goshen College strings teacher Sofia Sanchez describes her school's free music education...more
If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to be a professional singer-songwriter, you're in luck. The Charlotte Observer reports Taylor Dee, aka Dr. Taylor Dee, is a children's author,...more
An Indiana city has been awarded $400,000 in federal funding to help low- and moderate-income residents with shelter, employment skills, language translation and interpretation, and youth...more
The Maximus Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grants to 209 nonprofit organizations in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to further...more
In its 50th year of giving, the Innovia Foundation has awarded $446,000 in grants to 48 nonprofit organizations in North Idaho. The grants are part of the Foundation's annual Community Grants...more
Idaho's Innovia Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it's giving back in a big way. The foundation has awarded $446,000 in grants to 48 nonprofit organizations in North...more
India's Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) is known for its work with disadvantaged youth, and it's now offering master's and bachelor's degrees in fashion design, textile...more
Missouri's Department of Economic Development has announced the 37 organizations that will receive a total of $6 million in state tax credits through its Youth Opportunities Program, the Kansas City...more
A kiosk in New Jersey will be the first in the country to offer a free, FDA-approved rapid fentanyl test, as well as Narcan, COVID testing, and other intervention strategies for free to help combat...more
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